SHELBY -- Hundreds of karate participants will visit the county this weekend for a decades-old tournament.

For the 33rd year, Donald McCluney's Mid-Cleveland Karate Championships return to the Shelby City Parks and Recreation gym at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Last year, the tournament included about 300 participants.

“I’d like to have about 1,000, but I can expect about 300 or 400,” said McCluney, the tournament host.

The tournament will attract between 50 and 60 local competitors, but the rest of the participants and spectators will be from out of town, coming from as far away as New Jersey and Florida, McCluney said.

He said the out-of-town competitors and spectators will benefit the local economy as many of them dine in local restaurants and stay in area hotels.

On Saturday competitors will earn points toward the upcoming World Games Tournament, making the Shelby competition a popular event for people throughout the region and nation.

Competitors as young as 4 and some older than 60, will compete in breaking, self-defense, musical forms, open and traditional weapon forms, open and traditional forms and fighting events at the Shelby gym.